DCF London Wiki entry

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Hi guys,

Since I'm coming tot he end of my DCF london process I thought I'd put together a wiki entry detailing some of the London specific stuff. it's here: DCF London

Please feel free to edit and add stuff as you come accross stuff that you needed to know.

[garybug 0]

Hi Poiteen

This is relly useful for myself & my wife. Thanks very much for taking the time to post your journey (& in such a straightforward, readable & no-nonsense style).

I will be following your progress with interest.

Our situation is that we live in Hertfordshire, and I work in City of London. I am from the UK, and my wife is from Oklahoma. We have been married for nearly 4 years, and are looking to move to Dallas (probably..) within the next year and a half - 2 years.

Just a quick question - at what point could I legally start working in the US? I believe I don't need to wait for the Green card to physically be in my hand, and that I am legal to do so at some prior point in the process?

Kind regards, and all the best

gb

[BritishGuy36 0]

at what point could I legally start working in the US? I believe I don't need to wait for the Green card to physically be in my hand, and that I am legal to do so at some prior point in the process?

You will have a "green card" as soon as you enter the US, as the I-551 stamp that you will get on your IR-1 visa at your POE is the exact legal equivalent of the actual green card, and can be used for any purpose for which the actual green card would be needed.

It does mean you have to carry around your passport for a few weeks till your card shows up, but at least you have proof of entitlement to work etc from day one.

[garybug 0]

at what point could I legally start working in the US? I believe I don't need to wait for the Green card to physically be in my hand, and that I am legal to do so at some prior point in the process?

You will have a "green card" as soon as you enter the US, as the I-551 stamp that you will get on your IR-1 visa at your POE is the exact legal equivalent of the actual green card, and can be used for any purpose for which the actual green card would be needed.

It does mean you have to carry around your passport for a few weeks till your card shows up, but at least you have proof of entitlement to work etc from day one.

Thanks BG36 - it's such a relief to have this forum, as g0d knows how much it will save me in lost time & cash via lawyers fees!

I have sent off my passport for renewel today, and the I-130 is ready to go. All this while getting soaked under a grey London sky. Sometimes I wonder why it took me so long to come to this decision!

Good luck to all.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Glad to hear the wiki entry is helpful to people.

I had no idea how to do wiki's before, I managed to pick up what i needed to know in minutes. So now that I'm finished, I hand it over to you guys to keep it up to date for others coming along after you!